White, Lenny - Presents the Adventures of Astral Pirates

Name: Lenny White
Album: Presents the Adventures of Astral Pirates
Year: 1978
Style: Jazz, Prog, Funk, Soul
Similar Bands: TS Monk, Miles Davis, Return to Forever
"One-Word" Review: Safe Conceptual Funky Jazz
Based Out Of: NYC
Label: Elektra/Asylum, Warner Communications

Cover, Back, Sleeve, Record

Gatefold Story, Sleeve, Record

Presents the Adventures of Astral Pirates (1978)

1. Prelude: Theme for Astral Pirates 1:20
2. Pursuit 2:58
3. Mandarin Warlords 5:06
4. The Great Pyramid 2:30
5. Universal Love 3:30
6. Remembering 0:34
7. Revelation (Astral Pirates) 3:25 /
8. Stew Cabbage and Galactic beans 3:51
9. Heavy Metal Monster 4:39
10. Assault 3:36
11. Climax: Theme for Astral Pirates 7:42

Album Rating (1-10):

Members & Other Bands:

• Lenny White - Producer, Album & Story Concept, Drums, Synth Drums, Eu, Percussion, Re-Mixing, Music Arrangement (Return to Forever, Jackie Mclean, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Twennynine, Chick Corea, Chaka Khan, Azteca, Cyrus Chestnut, Stanley Clarke, Al Di Meola, Larry Coryell, Victor Bailey, Joe Henderson, Wallace Roney, Buster Williams, Andrew Hill, Woody Shaw, Gato Barbieri, Curtis Fuller, Buddy Terry, Eddie Henderson, Don Cherry, Jaco Pastorius, Brian Auger, Elaine Elias, Manhattan Project, Michael Patrucciani, Bobby Hutcherson, Urbanator, Geri Allen, Ron Carter, Jamey Haddad, Letizia Gambi, Stan Getz, Echoes of an Era, Griffith Park, Jamacia Boys, Gil Evans, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, Big Daddy Kane, Hiromi, Marcus Miller, Tom Browne, Renee Rosnes, Fuse One, Meeting Point, Michael Urbaniak, Milky Way, Powerhouse, Essence All Stars, Super Premium Band, Vertu, many )
• Al Kooper - Producer
• Alex Blake - Bass, Music Arrangement (Ahmed Abdullah's Diaspora, Malcolm Braff, Manhattan Blaze, Randy Weston African Rhythms, Ryo Kawasaki, Manhattan Transfer Band, Puppeteers, Sun Ra Arkestra, Greg Bandy, Emanuel K Rahim, Weldon Irvine, Charles Sullivan, Carlos Garnett, Arif Mardin, Billy Cobham, Airto, Don Pullen, Frank Lowe, Brownie McGhee, Sonny Rollins, Yusef Lateef, Last Poets, Kazumi Watanabe, Charles Bobo Shaw, Pharoah Sanders, Linda Williams, Blast, Jaroslav Jakubovic, Cory Daye, Norman Connors, Janis Siegel, Carmen Lundy, Jimmy Buffett, Earl Klugh, Chico Freeman, Brainstorm, Jonathan Butler, Dom Um Romao, Vertical Hold, Oran 'Juice' Jones, Mac Gollehon, Phyllis Hyman, Andrienne Wilson, Stan Getz, Babatunde Lea, Roman Kunsman, Elements of the 7th, Ximo Tebar, Harry Whitaker)
• Donald "Captain Keyboards" Blackman - Organ, Pianos, Oberheim Polyphonic, Synth, Eu, Vox, String & Music Arrangement (Twennynine, Weldon Irvine, Bernard Wright, Roy Ayers, Esperanto, Kenji Hino, Patches Stewart, Livesavas, Lips, Sylvia St James, Hugh Masekela, EPM, Kurtis Blow, Fat Boys, Vikki Love, la La, Missing Links, Gwen Guthrie, TMNT,Mmajee, Hamiet Bluiett, World Sax Quartert, Yoko Oginome, The Men X Perience, Sting, Joey Negro, Mino Cinelu, Waymen Tisdale, Femi Temowo, Brandon Williams)
• Nick Moroch - Lead Guitar, Music Arrangement (Twennynine, Mongo Santamaria, Jeff Conaway, Lips, Poussez, Sylvia St James, Rick James, Michael Franks, Tony Frye, Eddie Jobson, Zinc, Bernard Wright, Marcus Miller, Michael Johnson, Scritti Politti, Kirk Whalum, Temptations, Fury, Melba Moore, Porter Carroll 2, Michael W Smith, David Bowie, Howard Jones, Chaka Khan, Bob James, Vanesse Thomas, Claude Nougaro, Bee Gees, David Sanborn, Terumasa Hino, Sarah Dash, Toshiki Kadomatsu, Michael Colina, Gillian & Glover, Blues Trottoir, John Warren, Patrick Bruel, Arthur Baker & Backbeat Disciples, Kashif, Mira, Jeffrey Osborne,  Jibri Wise One, Nicki Richards, Pete Levin, Voyceboxing, Johnny Hallyday, Gary Brown, Baby Jane Dexter, Roch Voisine, Malta, Jonathan Butler, Tony Terry, Henri Salvador, Donna Summer, Vanessa Williams, Julie Masse, Michael Davis, Bill Evans, Rinken Band, Philippe Saisse, Selena, SMAP, T-Square, Cheryl Lynn, Tony Toni Tone, Marylin Scott, Smappies, Yoshiko Kishino, Mica Paris, Rachel Z, Liane Foly, Still Wicked, Marc Nelson, Marek Niedzwiecki, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Ronn Moss, Terumasa Hino, Point of Grace, 2Ge+her, Kathy Troccoli, David Arnold, Ak, Joe, Jesse Powell, Wayman Tisdale, What For, Dennis Chambers, Roger Glover, Brian McKnight, Kelly Rowland, Gareth Hates, Jessica Simpson, Do Swing, Jason Miles, Nicole C Mullen, Danny Brill, Cliff Dawson, Gene Lake, From the Fire, Alice Soyer, Curtis King, Chris Bender)
• David Gahr - Photos
• Patrick Gleeson - All Synth Programming
• Don Mizell - Album & Story Concept, Narrative Language
• Bob Edwards - Engineer, Re-Mixing
• Skip Shimmin - Recordist
• Seth Dworkin - Recordist
• Dave Rader - Recordist
• Bob Graham - Equipment
• Bernie Grundman - Mastering
• Michael Kaluta - Illustrations & Cover
• Anthony Gleeson - Color
• Tony Lane - Art Direction
• Johnny lee - Design
• Michael Bryant - Narrative Language
• Toby Byron - Mgmt

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this artist / band. Which makes me very frightened...because this album looks to be heavy on high concept art and is basically a soundtrack to a piece of elaborate fiction. This actually sounds very exciting, and I can't wait to find out if this is prog, like most concept albums were from the 70's, or if it is something else completely, since neither Lenny White nor the band appear to be a bunch of stereotypical nerdy white dudes. But since it is really out there and goes all-in on the creativity, the fact that i've never heard of it makes me thing it's going to be terrible- that it never broke out of the complex, Star Wars inspired starting gate, and was forgotten for good reason.

Album Review: From the start, it is pretty straight forward jazzy prog...a little more in a controlled space than say Brand X, but definitely Jazzy. Once "Universal Love" hits, the first with lyrical vocals, the tone has shifted to funk and soul. 

While being a left handed self taught drummer on a right handed kit, he is considered one of the founders of the Jazz Fusion concept. He played on the uberfamous Bitch's Brew with Miles Davis, is the winner of 4 (of 6 nominations) Grammy awards, and is a professor at NYU Steinhardt. He has also recorded soundtrack music for films, including House Party with Kid n' Play.

Stand Out Track: Universal Love, Stew Cabbage & Galactic Beans

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UK - Danger Money

Name: UK
Album: Danger Money
Year: 1979
Style: Prog, Jazz Fusion
Similar Bands: Styx, Brand X, Battles, Mike Batt, Emerson Lake Palmer, King Crimson
"One-Word" Review: Cinematic Space Soundscapes
Based Out Of: England
Label: EG Records, Polydor, Polygram Distribution

Cover, Record, Liner Notes

Back, Record, Sleeve Notes

Danger Money (1979)

1. Danger Money 8:12
2. Rendezvous 6.05 5:00 (single)
3. The Only Thing She Needs 7:53 (single) /
4. Caesar's Palace Blues 4:42 (single B-Side)
5. Nothing to Lose 3:57 (single)
6. Carrying No Cross 12:20

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Eddie Jobnson - Writing, Arrangement, Producer, Violin, Keys (Curved Air, Roxy Music, Frank Zappa, Jethro Tull, Legacy, UKZ, Ultimate Zero, Fat Grapple, Roger Glover, Neoteric Orch, Yes, Mark Mancina, Andy Mackay, Bryan Ferry, Dana Gillespie, Amazing Blondel, John Entwistle, Mike Heron's Reputation, Phil Manzanera, Jasun Martz, Spyro Gyra,   more)
• John Wetton - Writing, Arrangement, Producer, Vox, Bass (Asia, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Brian Eno, Uriah Heep, Edward Hand, Family, The Human Experience, Jack-Knife, Mogul Thrash, Qango, Renaissance, Wishbone Ash, Ultimate Zero, Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera, Atoll)
• Terry Bozzio - Drums, Percussion (Frank Zappa, Missing Persons, HoBoLeMa, Lonely Bears, Vai, Bozzio Levin Stevens, Brecker Bros, Jeff Beck, Luis Gasca, Barretto, A.Heller, Spinettam Group 87, more)
• John Punter - Engineer
• Geoff Emerick - Recording
• Nigel Walker - Asst. Engineer
• Dave Fidler - Crew
• Graham Davis - Crew
• Hipgnosis - Cover Design, Photos
• George Marino - Mastering
• Mark Fenwick - Special Thanks
• Sam Alder - Special Thanks

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this band. The cover of a corporate employee washing their hands, couple with the album title Danger Money offer a political commentary on corporate greed and the difficult subjugation. The back show long hairs with their instruments, and overall, i get a hard rock, power pop standing on the edge of metal vibe...if it were not for the 6 tracks at rather lengthy times. That makes me think it is more of a prog act. Not to say the two cannot be blended. Also, I see the name John Wetton, whom I have reviewed previously as a solo artist. So if that gives me any indication, this will still be that fine line of power pop & arena rock.

Album Review: The music emits the feeling of a cohesive theatrical play about psychedelic space adventures, even if that was not the intention. The vocal sections show they can be an arena rock band like Journey, but the rest of the progressive sections tie them to the 8-10 minute musings genre. The first 4 minutes of The Only Thing She Needs is a nice song with some Battles and Genesis sounding sections, but the song pauses and builds itself back up for an extra 4 minutes or so.

UK were a supergroup, with each member coming from 3-5 different popular bands from King Crimson, Roxy Music, Frank Zappa to name a few (obviously i'm not well versed enough in these bands or I may have picked a name out.). The end of Prog's popularity & differences in stylistic direction plagued the band, as this is their second of two studio albums (where the first one had four members, one of whom was a different drummer [Bill Bruford], and they did not replace the guitarist [Allan Holdsworth]), and they broke up while touring for the album. But their differences were not enough to burn any bridges, as these three all worked together in various projects, and reformed together for a US tour in 2012.

Stand Out Track: The Only Thing She Needs

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Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan - Peculiar Friends

Name: Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan
Album: Peculiar Friends
Year: 1971
Style: Classic Rock, Psychedelic Funk, Jazz Fusion
Similar Bands: Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Cold Blood, Blood Sweat & Tears, Lighthouse
"One-Word" Review: Gritty Psych Show Tunes
Based Out Of: New Jersey / NYC
Label: Polydor

Cover, Back, Sleeve, Record

Inner Gatefold, Sleeve, Record

Peculiar Friends (1971)

1. Peculiar Friends 0:19
2. The Night I Got Out of Jail 3:44
3. Shootin' the Breeze 3:19
4. The Pickpocket 3:48
5. No Next Time 4:34 (single) /
6. Love Me 5:05
7. Fourteenth Street (I Can't Gat Together) 5:49
8. I Had Him Down 3:52
9. Down in the Cold 6:09 (single)

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Aram Schefrin - Writer, Arrangement, Producer, Guitar (Fisher Fidelity Standard Rock Band, DC LaRue, Cris Williamson, LaBelle, Lou Reed)
  
• Michael Zager - Writer, Arrangement, Producer, Keys (Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band, Moon Band, M-Zee Band, Fisher Fidelity Standard Rock Band, DC LaRue, Cris Williamson, LaBelle, Take Five, Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, Mary lou Retton, Elusion, Spinners, Johnny Guitar Watson, DJ Valium, Genya Ravan, Street Corner Symphony, Cryer & Ford, Saint & Stephanie, Dee Edwards, Alvin Fields, more )
• Geyna Ravan - Writer, Arrangement, Vox, Harp (Goldie & the Gingerbreads, Denny Greene, Lou Reed, Blue Oyster Cult, Ronnie Spector, Gamma, Joy Rider. Flowerpot Men, Joey Ramone, Doughboys, Palmyra Delran, Fanny Walked the Earth, Michael Des Barres, Shady Lady, Kracker, Goldie Zelkowitz, Jay-Z)
• Blake Hines - Bass
• David Williams - Drums
• Alan Gauvin - Reeds  (Woody Herman, Bill Wartrous, Pratt Bros Big Band, Killer Force, Thundering Herd, Buddy Rich, Twiggs, Rich Shemaria)
• Dean Pratt - Trumpet (NY Neophonic Orch, Panama Friends & Savoy Sultans, Pratt Bros Big Band, Clifford Jordan, Killer Force, DMP Big Band, NTXSU Lab Band, Joel Kaye, Chris Robison, Buddy Rich, Bill Warfield, Leon Redbone, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton)
• Tom Malone - Trombone (3:00 Lab Band, Black Light Orch, Blood Sweat & Tears, Child is Father to the Man, Dude Skile's Hot Combustion, Gil Evans, Orquesta Palenque, Blues Brothers Band, Brass Attack Horns, CBS Orch, Mon Night Orch, NTXSU Lab Band, RCO All-Stars, SNL Band, Ultimate Onions, World's Most Dangerous Band, Woody Herman, Mylon, OT Zappo, more) 
• Danny Stiles - Trumpet (Sal Salvador, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Bill Watrous, Woody Herman, Herman & Puente, Maxwell Davis, Chris Connor, Bill Russo, Peggy Lee, Incredible Jimmy Smith, Oscsar Peterson Trip, Manny Albam, JJ Johnson, Pat Williams, T-Bone Walker, Singers Unlimited, Jake Hanna, Bette Midler, Nat Pierce, James Brown, Gerry Mulligan)
• Frank Frint - Trumpet
• Jay Messina - Engineer
• David L'Heureux - Cover Art, Album Design
• Triano-Gatefold Art
• Lou Podover - Photos
• Chuck Pulin -Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but I always enjoy a nice gatefold album I've never heard: that usually means more care has gone into the album & packaging. I do like the Alice in Wonderland-like artwork, calling them peculiar friends, which is also the album and lead track name. Never heard of the name dropped singer, Genya Ravan, but from the design, I imagine this is pretty straight forward classic rock, maybe with a touch of Psych from the Alice/Mr. Toad's Wild Ride-inspired sketches.

Album Review: The album is definitely a classic rock with powerful female vocals, thinking Joplin/Slick with all the variants present within the classic rock realm: psych, garage, funk, rock, gospel, and even some slow ballads. Even through The Night I Got Out of Jail is a driving, fun rocker, overall this is not for me, but it sounds typical of the sound & period.
The band had already found considerable success and acclaim by this, the third album, and Rayan was ready to leave the band. They had played some big festivals and high profile venues like Fillmore East (where Rayan performed part of the show topless with body paint) and Carnegie Hall. The band survived 6 years total, a lead singer and record label changes, but it was a big starting block for Michael Zager's disco career. The band was also inspirational in the face of a male dominated field for Bette Midler & her writing of The Rose.

Stand Out Track: The Night I Got Out of Jail

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Spyro Gyra - Morning Dance

Name: Spyro Gyra
Album: Morning Dance
Year: 1979
Style: Jazz Fusion
Similar Bands: Brand X, David Moss, Weather Report, Brecker Brothers
"One-Word" Review: Earthy Jazz Collages
Based Out Of: Buffalo NY
Label: MCA, Transcontinent Record Sales

Cover, Record

Back, Record

Morning Dance (1979)

1. Morning Dance 3:58
2. Jubilee 4:31
3. Rasul 3:56
4. Song for Lorraine 3:59
5. Starburst 4:48 /
6. Heliopolis 5:34
7. It Doesn't Matter 4:27
8. Little Linda 4:21
9. End of Romanticism 5:18

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0
Members & Other Bands:

• Jay Beckenstein - Writer, Producer, Sax, Boobams, Percussion (Orleans, Bob James, Puleo, Joege Dalto, David Broza, Dream Theater, Basia, Rick Rhodes, SMAP, Smappies, Mercedes Hall, Marek Niedzwiecki, Wolfgang Haffner, Jason Miles, Luciano Ladeira, Fusion Syndicate, Calvin Weston, Sandeep Chowta)
• Chet Catallo - Writer, Guitar (T. Lavitz, Glenn Medeiros)
• Jeremy Wall - Writer, Asst Producer, Piano, Synth, Percussion, String Arrangement, String Conducting (David Broza, Yusef lateef, Patti Austin, Fuse One, Ray Barratto, ITS, Sleepy Matsumoto, Pacific Orchestra, Puleo, Richard Stoltzman, Ofra Harnoy)
• Rick Strauss - Writer, Guitar (Jeff Jarvis)
• John Tropea - Guitars (Lalo Schifrin, Hollywood Vampires, T-Bone Walker, Deodato, Ashford & Simpson, Harry Chapin, Peter Allen, Bo Diddley, Janis Ian, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Aztec Two Step, Dionne Warwick, Sister Sledge, Paul Simon, David Ruffin, Al Stewart, Alice Cooper, Melba Moore, Laura Nyro, Phoebe Snow, Frankie Valli, Ringo Starr, Roberta Flack, Meco, Taj Mahal, Good Rats, Dr John, Tim Curry, Barbara Streisand, Tommy James, Tony Orlando, Randy Vanwarmer, John Mayall, Kurtis Blow, Spinners, Sylvester, Peter Baumann, Chuck Mangione, Gloria Gaynor, Irene Cara, Yoko Ono, Fuse One, Epo, John Lennon, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Liza Minnelli, more)
• Jim Kurzdorfer - Bass (Birthright, Jaman, Rick Strauss, Bobby Millitello, Jeff Jarvis)
• Rubens Bassini - Congas, Percussion, Timbales, Bongos (Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band, E Os 11 Magnificos, Sergio Mendes, NY-LA Dream Band, Deodato, Stanley Turrentine, Bette Midler, Laura Nyro, Chuck Mangione, Stan Getz, Don McLean, Judy Collins, Jimmy McGriff, Janis Ian, Nils Lofgren, Garland Jeffreys, Maynard Ferguson, Michael Zager Band, Breakwater, Carly Simon, Average White Band, Herbie Mann, The Force, Orleans, Spinners, Ohio Players, Take Five, Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Yoko Ono, Miami Sound Machine, Gloria Estefan,     more)
• David Samuels - Marimba, Steel Drum, Vibraphone (Caribbean Jazz Project, Double Image, Gallery, Gerry Mulligan, Pat Metheny Group, Paul McCandless, Gary Marks, Frank Zappa, Four Tops, Rare Silk, Maureen McGovern, David Broza, Joe Beck, Edie Brickell, Jon Secada, Howard Shore, Steve Vai, Rita Coolidge, Chet Baker  more)
• Will Lee - Bass (Band Of Other Brothers, BFD, Bob Mintzer, Child is Father to the Men, Eric Doney, Flying Monkey Orch, Gary Burton. Hiram Billock, John Blackwell, Metro, Paul Shaffer, The 24th St Band, Gary Schreiner, Worlds Most Dangerous Band more)
• Steve Jordan - Drums (John Mayer, Keith Richards & the X-Pensive Winos, 24th St Band, Blues Brothers band, LaVettes, The Steves, Masura Imada, Neil Young, Little Steven, Feargal Sharkey, Don Henley Bernie Worrell, Neville Bros, Johnnie Johnstone, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Southside Johnny & Asbury Jukes, David Sanborn, Booket T & MGs, Robert Cray, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Buddy Guy, Rod Stewart, Solomon Burke, Boz Scaggs, Verbs, Patti Austin, Taj Mahal, Spinozza, Melanie, Herbie Mann, Ashford & Simpson, Cat Stevens, Imperials, Randy Vanwarmer, Donald Fagen, George Benson, John Mayall, Mark Knopfler, Bonnie Tyler, Stevie Nicks, Arcadia, Aretha Franklin, Rolling Stones, Pretencers, Fats Domino, Brian Setzer, Toto, Steve Khan, Chuck berry, Aztec Camera, Bob Dylan, Ivan Neville, Steely Dan more)
• Randy Brecker - Trumpet (Andy LaVerne, Art Blakey, Black Light Orch, Blood Sweat & Tears, Bob Mintzer, Child is Father to the Men, Chroma, CTI All Stars, Dalia Faitelson, Das Pferd, Dizzy Gillespie, Don Groinick, Duke Pearson, Farberius, GRP All Stars, Hal Galper, Harlem River Drive, Jaco Pastorius, Kerry Strayer, Loren Schoenberg, Man Doki Soulmates, Marc Copland, Mike Mainieri, Milky Way, Mingus Big Band, Mingus Dynasty, NY All Stars, Pond Life, Renolds Jazz Orch, Roif Kuhn, Ron McClure, Brecker BrosDavid Liebman, Domenic Troiano, Eleventh House, Fisher Fidelity Standard Rock Band, George Gruntz, Horace Silver,  Jack Wilkins, Jamie Baum, Jazz Composers Orch, White Elephant, Woody Witt so much more)
• Michael Brecker - Tenor Sax (Black Light Orch, Bob Mintzer, Buddy Love, Don Grolnick, Dreams, Flying Monkey Orch, Hal Galper, Harris Simons, Harvie S & Eye Contact, Herbie Hancock, Man Doki Soulmates, Mke Mainieri, Mike Nock, People, Rainbow, Sax Summit, Stardrive, Steps Ahead, Brecker Brothers, NY All Stars, Players Assoc., SNL Band, White Elephant, Wolfgang Schalk Bandett, Ringo Starr, Roger Voudouris, Mongo Santamaria much more)
• Ted Reinhardt - Drums (Dave Constantino, Dick Bauerle, Gamalon, Puleo, Norm Paolini, Melanie, Gloria Loring, Pete Howard, John Valby, Ernie Watts)
• John Clark - French Horn (Bob Mintzer, Franz Koglmann, George Russell, Gil Evans, Grachan Moncur III, Jimmy Knepper, Manhattan Jazz Orch, Marty Ehrlich, McCoy Tyner, Michael Legrand, Opera House Ensemble, Paul Winter, Earth Band, Carla Bley, George Gruntz, Mike Gibbs, Winter Consort, Tilt Brass Band, David Sanborn, Chuck Mangione, Meco, David Spinozza, Breakwater, Chaka Khan, Musique, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Ashford & Simpson, TS Monk, Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones, Sheena Easton, Joe Jackson, Miles Davis, Expose, David Byrne, Sinead O'Connor, Sting, Jill Evans, Pat Metheny, LL Cool J, Barbara Streisand, Bonnie Raitt, John Secada, Trans-Siberian Orch more)
• Tom Schuman - Piano, Rhodes, Synth (Blair, Birthright, Yusef Lateef, Gamalon, Marek Niedzwiecki, Steve Oliver, Chuck Loeb, Roberto Vally, Sandeep Chowta, Jeff Kashiwa)
• Eli Konikoff - Drums (Dick Bauerle, Stan & the Ravens, Jeff Jarvis)
• Gerardo Velez - Congas, Bongos, Percussion (We Are Family Collective, Claude Dubois, Orleans, Puleo, John Philip, The Shakes, Kenny Rankin, Andrea Dante Marchesini, Martha Velez, Jill Sobule, Toshinobu Kubota. Chic, David Bowie, Neal Black, Joe Lynne Turner, Patty Smyth, Santana, Marek Niedzwiecki, Nile Rodgers)
• Suzanne Ciani - Synth (NeoTantrik, Starland Vocal Band, Elliot Randall, Meco, Philippe Wynne. Yusef Lateef, Cindy & Ron, Alien, Art Farmer, Fuse One, Ray Barretto, Steve Kindler, Meco, Patti Austin, Jane Weaver, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith)
• Lani Groves - Vox  (Stevie Wonder, Rick Derringer, Johnny Hammond, Michael Stanley, Johnny Winter, Kenny Rankin, Carly Simon, Bill Cosby, Michael Bolotin, Ben E. King, Bob James, Roberta Flack, Budy Rich, Albert King, Blood Sweat & Tears, Lee Oskar, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Mayard Ferguson, Joe Cocker, Pee Wee Ellis, Candi Station, Buddy Rich, Patti Austin, Burt Bacharach, Harry Belafonte, David Sanborn, Frankie Valli, Nils Logfren, 38 Special, Kenny Loggins, Billy Joel, Meco, Tony Orlando, Lemon, Quincy Jones, Golden Earring, Gotham, Steely Dan, Paul Simon, Blondie, George Benson, Leonard Cohen, Talking Heads, Stevie Wonder, Jude Cole, Ronnie Spector, Aztec Camera, Carly Simon, Diana Ross, Peter Wolf, David Bowie, Billy Ocean, James Taylor, LaToya Jackson, Phoebe Snow, Eric Clapton, Grace Jones, Dionne Warwick, Bad Company, Foreigner, Dr. John, Bette Midler,  many)
• Diva Gray - Vox (Change, Chic, Lemon, Harlettes, Roy Buchanan, Love Symphony Orch, Teresa Wiater, T.Life, David Spinozza, Major Harris, Phyllis Hyman, Joe Thomas, Meco, James Montgomery, Ray Barretto, Atlantic Family, Jimmy Ponder, Garland Jeffreys, Sambu Soul, Gregg Diamond, Norma Jean, Richard T. Bear, Kiss, Ramona brooks, Duke Jupiter, Euclid Beach Band, Felix Cavaliere, Samantha Sand, Kikio, Roundtree, NYC band, Spyro Gyrsa, B.Baker Chocolate Co, Gotham, Markena Shaw, Toru Oki Blues Band, Herbie Mann, Paul Evans, Bette Midler, Wilbert Longmire, Sister Sledge, John Tropea, Ray Gomez, Cousin Ice, Rhetta Hughes, Wilbert Longmire, George Benson, Marshall Tucker Band, Steely Dan, Leon Bryant, David Sanborn, Silence, High Fashion, Roberta Flack, Weather Girls, Junior, Marcus Miller, Damaris, Peabo Bryson, Talking Heads, Paul Habara, Brian Setzer, David Bowie, Steps Ahead, Ann Anello, Ronnie Spector, Cindy Valentine, Toshiki Kadomatsu, Scritti Politti, Myleka, Jorn Hoel, Linda Eder, Andreas Vollenweider, Charlie Sexton, Grace Jones, Natasha's Brother, Julien Clerc, Maggie's Dream, Hen-Gee & Evil-E, Debbie Gibson, Judy Collins, Marc Cohn, Tony Verderosa, Dr, John, John Tropea, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Spin Doctors, BB King, Patricia Kiss, Luther Vandross, Celine Dion, Horii Katsumi, Elton John, Jewel, Natalie Cole, Herbie Mann, Janis Siegel, Marilyn, R,. Kelly, Elaine Elias, Kiss, Joe Lynn Turner, Surtek Collective, Jennifer Rush)
• Gordon Grody - Vox (Silence, Zinc, Lemon, David Spinozza, Kiss, Vicki Sue Robinson, Meco, Janis Ian, Steely Dan, Debbie Harry, Garland Jefferies, Judy Collions, Irene Cara, Donald Fagan, Yoko Ono, John Lennon, Melissa Manchester, Fatback, Carly Simon, Peabo Bryson, Patti Austin, George benson, Talking Heads, Belouis Some, Ben E King, Aztec Camera, David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Bonham, Frankie Valli, Change, Jennifer Rush)
• Tom Malone - Trombone (Black Light Orch. Blood Sweat & Tears, Child is Father to Man, Gil Evans, Orquesta palenque, Ten Wheel Drive, Blues Brothers Band, Brass Attack horns, Monday Night Orch, RCO All-Stars, SNL band, Tom Bones Malone, World's Most Dangerous Band, Woody Herman, North Texas Lab Band, Janis Ian, Mongo Santamaria, David Sanborn, Aztec Two-Step, Chuck Mangione, Buddy Rich, Jimmy McGriff, Meco, The Band, Levon Helm, Frank Zappa, Average White band, Michael Zager band, Carly Simon, Instant Funk, BB King, Meat Loaf, J. eils Band, Malo, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Tyler, Lou Reed, Chaka Khan, Steve Windwood, Joe Jacksom, David Byrne, Paul Shaffer, Bruce Willis, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Willy DeVille, james Brown, Rick Derringer, Mandrill, Culture Club, BJ Thomas, Joss Stone, Tom Jones, Tori Amos, more)
• Lew Del Gatto - Flute (Tony Bennet, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, John Lennon, Bette Midler, Caj Tjader, Quincy Jones, Stanley Turrentine, Buddy Guy, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, NY Neophonic Orch, Liza Minnelli, Johnny Winter, Gloria Gaynor, Frankie Valli, Manhattan Transfer, Jimmy McGriff, Ringo Starr, Meco, J. Geils Band, Average White Band, Ben E King, Trini Lopez, Levon Helm, Aerosmith, Carly Simon, Tina Turner, Ian Hunter, Amy Grant, Chaka Khan, Blues Brothers, Meat Loaf, George Benson, Steve Winwood, Laurie Anderson, Mariah Carey, David Byrne, Yoko Ono  more)
• Harry Lookofsky - Violin (Al Cohn, Gil Evans, NBC Symph Orch, Ahmad Jamal, Quincy Jones, Cal Tjader, Wes Montgomery, Connie Francis, Blood Sweat & Tears, Roberta Flack, Louis Armstrong, Mongo Santamaria, Grover Washington Jr, Deodato, Roy Ayers, Don McLean, David Ruffin, Janis Ian, Bette Midler, Patti Austin, Peter Allen, Bionic Boogie  many)
• Matthew Raimondi - Violin (Central Park Strings, New Music String Quart, Pond Life, Composers Quartet, Love Symph orch, James Brown, Louis Armstrong, Don McLean, Grover Washington Jr, Herbie Mann, Blood Sweat & Tears, Patti Austin, Bette Midler, Bob James, Peter Allen, Chet Baker, Maynard Ferguson, David Spinozza, Sesame Street, Carly Simon, Meco, Chaka Khan, Stevie Nicks, Joe Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Lenny Kravits, O'jays, Chic, Sinead O'Connor, Bananarama, Cuba Gooding, LL Cool J, Tony Bennett, Gloria Estefan, Philip Bailey, PM Dawn, Backstreet Boys, Maxwell, Ricky Martin, John Lennon more)
• Harry Cykman - Violin (Shirley Scott, Freddie hubbard, Billie Holiday, Grover Washington, Judy Collins, Rupert Holmes, Deodato, Don mcLean, Milt Jackson, Stanley Turrentine, Janis Ian, Hubert Laws, Joe Beck, Frankie Valli, Bob James, Blood Sweat & Tears, Peter Allen, Tymes, Maynard Ferguson, Roundtree, Meco, Stevie Nicks more)
• Charles Libove - Violin (Beaux Arts String Quartet, Centrsal park Strings, Columbia Symph Prch, Paganini Quartet, Marlboro Trio, Philharmonic Trio, Sarah Vaughn, Herbie Mann, Wes Montgomery, James Brown, Grover Washington Jr,  more)
• Alfred Brown - Viola (Hip String Quartet, Soa, Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones, Herbie Mann, Nat Adderley, Roberta Flack, Louis Armstrong, Mongo Santamaria, Edgar Winter, Shirley Bassey, Grover Washington Jr, Roy Ayers, Deodato, Don McLean, Janis Ian, Sister Sledge, Peter Allen, Tyme more)
• Charles McCracken - Cello (Hugo Montenegro, Oliver Nelson, Quincy Jones, Wes Montgomery Herbie Mann, Nat Adderley, Connie Francis, Electric Flag, Blood Sweat & Tears, Roberta Flack, Louis Armstrong, T-Bone Walker, Roy Ayers, Gabor Szabo, Deodato, Stanley Clarke, Don McLean, Milt Jackson  more)
• Larry Fast - Synth Programming (Synergy, Fire INC., Tony Levin Band, Deodato, Sylvia, Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, Stephen Dees, Martha Velez, Nektar, Intergalactic Touring Band, Peter Gabriel, Stormin' Norman & Suzy, Odyssey, American Standard Band, Tommy James, Hall & Oats, Kate Bush, Boz Scaggs, Meatloaf, Foreigner, Air Supply, John Denver, Bonnie Tyler, Joan Armatrading, Barbara Streisand, Rick Springfield, Serge Gainsbourg  more)
• Richard Calandra - Producer
• David Heffernan - Cover & Back Artwork
• Jack Malken - Recording, Mixing Engineer
• Michael Barry - Recording, Mixing Engineer
• Candice Munson - Asst Engineer
• Darroll Gustamachio  - Asst Engineer
• Jason Corsaro - Asst Engineer
• Lawrence Swist - Recording Engineer
• Mick Guzauski - Recording Engineer
• Charlie Conrad - Recording Engineer
• Rick Rowe - Editing

Unknown-ness: I've heard the name Spyro Gyra before but never in any genre context. I guess i always assumed they were like Procol Harum or 10cc (not sure why those two bands, as they are not really alike), perhaps because they have similar artwork sometimes, and were from the same general time frame. But really, i don't know what SG sounds like at all. 

Album Review: Definitely a Jazz Fusion band, with its name coming from a green algae spelled Spirogyra. This album is certified Platinum as of 1987, and has strong charting success as does the single "Morning Dance," which has a nice blend of Caribbean elements with dance-able jazz.  The revolving door of musicians makes sense for a band as large and complex as Spyro Gyra, but the core has always been Beckenstein and Schuman. "Jubilee" incorporates some nice funk and jammy roots rock to a baseline of smooth sax jazz.

Stand Out Track: Jubilee

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Skatemaster Tate & The Concrete Crew - Do the Skate

Name: Skatemaster Tate & The Concrete Crew
Album: Do the Skate
Year: 1991
Style: Hip Hop, Jazz Fusion
Similar Bands: Urban Dance Squad, C+C Music Factory, Bent Fabric, Sublime, Arrested Development, Toejam & Earl
"One-Word" Review: Mellow Jazzy Beatnik Hip Hop Samples
Based Out Of: Los Angeles, CA
Label: 4th & B'Way, Island Records

Cover & Record

Back & Record

Do The Skate (1991)

1. Do The Skate 4:14
2. Get Dat Grove 2:37
3. Two Headed Love Child 3:20
4. Irv's 4:37
5. Willie Brown Live 3:51 (sample of "Pennsylvania 6-5000")
6. Justice (To The Bass) Nick & Scruff Version 3:14 /
7. Joe's Jam 6:27
8. Right Place 4:12 (samples: Hall & Oates "I Can't Go For That," "Could Be I'm Falling in Love," and "Right Place, Wrong Time")
9. More 3:25
10. Hey Wooley 4:52
11. Justice (To The Bass) Extended Boneless Mix 4:08

Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Willie McNeil - Producer
• D. Thomas
• Octavio - Sax (Arianna, Luis Miquel, Los Temerarios, LabA)
• Phil Nowlan - Guitar, Keys (Cool C, Three Times Dope, Tim Dog, Toshi Kubota, Jermaine Dupri)
• Skatemaster Tate (Gerry Hurtado) - Vox, Producer, Remixed (Porno for Pyros, Stone Cold Boners, Tate&Greg, Boo Yaa TRIBE, DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist )
• Willie Brown - Vox, Samples, Drums
• Natas Kapus - Backing Vox
• Don Kingski - Samples, Vox, Keys (Circle of Soul)
• Chris Garcia - Bass (Sweet Daddy, Fred Pellichero, Clay Aiken, Thyne Scabbard, Eduardo Rios)
• Jammin' Jay Davidson - Sax (Towson St U/College Jazz Ensemble, Mirjam, Marco, OC Smith, Joe the Butcher Nicolo, Cash Money and Marvelous, 7A3, Myles Goodwyn, Magnetics, Chena, Robbie B & DJ Jazz, Something Special, Cinderella, Tim Dog, Bad Mutha Goose & Bros Grimm, Pop's Cool Love, Taj Mahal, The Goats, Spearhead, Big Cheif, Ben Arnold, The Philosopher Kings, G. Love & Special Sauce, Monty Alexander, Pepper's Ghost, TM Stevens, Bon Jovi, Bruce L Cohen, Blues Anatomy, Mike Pinto, Labelle, Stroke, Greg Davis, Holy Water, Ronnie Spector, Up The Chain, Chris Kasper, Gina Sicila, American Mafia, Angel Du$t, Young & Heartless, Brit Floyd, Cast In Bronze, Pete Donnelly, Turnover)
• Andy "Funky Drummer" Kravitz - Drums (Butcher Brothers, Electric Love Muffin, Neptune Darlings, Steady B, Billy price & Keystone Rhythm Band, Schoolly D, Boo-Yaa TRIBE, Taj Mahal, Cypress Hill, Goats, Kris Kross, Wailing Souls, Billy Joel, Mona Lisa Overdrive, Luther Vandross, Smashign Orange, Rolling Stones, Spearhead, Shawn Colvin, Joan Osborne, Big Cheif, Candy Butchers, Midge Ure, Imogen Heap, Hamell on Trial, Juliana Hatfield, Figgs, Amos Lee, Pete Donnelly  more)
• Tupelo Joe Altruda - Upright Bass, Vox, Guitar (Afterhours, Buru jazz Ensemble, Cocktail Crew, Jump with Joey, Sounds of Zodiac, Tupelo Chain Sex, Screamin' Sirens, Thelonious Monster, Joe Strummer, Shy Party, Levi Decter, Solsonics, DJ Bonebreak, Skip Heller, Ramblin' James & Billyboppers, Big Sandy & his Fly-Rite Boys, Dread Filmstone, DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist, Ernest Ranglin, Seu Jorge, Almaz, Western Standard Time, Bebel Gilberto)
• Cooper - Bass 
• Z Grutzman
• Zachary Terrell - Piano, Keys
• Brown (Tony, Unsel) Brothers - Backing Vox
• Kevin Williams - Backing Vox (Bonedaddys, Untouchables, Corporation of One, Matt Wood, Ben Harper, Solsonics, Guru, Jump With Joey, English Beat, Tupelo Joe, After Hours, Zakiya Hooker, Anthony Burger, John Lee Hooker, Hubbard's Cupboard, Lights Out)
• DJ E-Z - Turntables 
• Tim Kerr - Guitar (Bad Mutha Goose & the Brothers Grimm, Big Boys, Jack O'Fire, King Sound Quartet, Lord High Fixers, Poison 13, Monkeywrench, Now Time Delegation, Total Sound Group Direct Action Committee, Up Around the Sun, Dicks, Quintron, Sugar Shack,  more)
• Joe "The Butcher" Nicolo - Coproducer, Remixing
• Scruff & Nick - Additional Production & Mixing
• Matthew Hyde - Engineering
• Dennis Dragon - Producer, Engineer
• Chris Bellman - Mastering
• Bernie Grundman - Mastering
• John Switzer - Mgmt
• Gabriel Leconte - Mgmt
• Gary Wishik - Legal
• Kim Buie - A&R Coordination
• Lori Graves - A&R Coordination
• Rachell Stoud - Sampling Equipment Consulting
• Deborah Melian - Art Direction & Design
• Michael Miller - Photography

Unknown-ness: never heard of this band. But i imagine it's west coast slacker hip hop, perhaps a mix of rap & hardcore, as i'm thinking of what skaters were into in the early 90's. 

Album Review: This is a very interesting record. The mix of free flowing jazz, jazz influence like using a sample of  Pennsylvania 6-5000, and sections that sound like the Alley Cat thrown into thoughtful hip hop lyrics and samples make me think that the musicians have a Jazz background, but wanted to fuse it to what they had around them: samples, smooth rapping and youthful street-wise topics, It makes me really wonder where the inspiration came from and what they were going for. Paying respect to jazz history by introducing a younger crowd to the fusion of beatnik night clubs and scratch /sampling. Some of the songs do have a juvenile and embarrassing take (Two Headed Love Child) and it makes me wonder how it was promoted what kind of "street cred" they earned from this. Who was their fans base? Definitely positive vibes on the album, but it is genre scattered too much for the casual listener like me. Imagine Arrested Development playing with Sublime trying to update Bent Fabric and Benny Goodman big band songs while playing Toe Jam & Earl on Sega Genesis. On the other hand, this is a true mixing of race, style and lifestyle...the absolute melting pot and predicted positive face of music in the future from 1991's view. So Tate was a real skating aficionado, skating on the amateur circuit in the 70's and hosting the Nickelodeon SK8-TV show, which only lasted 13 episodes. Well before this album in 1983, he started gaining popularity amongst the skate rock audience, having songs in a variety of skate videos, even getting a song in the film What About Bob?. Apparently he was a very friendly guy that would help out anyone he could who needed it. Tate sadly passed away in 2015 from liver cancer.

Stand Out Track: Justice (To The Bass) Nick & Scruff Version

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Section (the) - Fork It Over

Name: The Section
Album: Fork it Over
Year: 1977
Style: Jazzy Rock, Fusion, Funk, Prog, Light Rock
Similar Bands: Brand X
"One-Word" Review: Pitch Perfect Smooth Jazzy Prog.
Based Out Of: Los Angeles, CA
Label: EMI, Capitol

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve Notes, Record

Fork It Over (1977)

1. Suckers On Parade 3:47
2. LA Changes 5:25
3. Street Pizza 4:07
4. Hamsters of Doom 4:30
5. Bad Shoes 2:49 /
6. Moon Over Fontana 5:30
7. Rainbows 4:34
8. White Water 2:55
9. Magnetic Lady 5:41

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Russ Kunkel - Drums, Vox, Percussion (James Taylor, Carol King, Jackson Brown, Carly Simon, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Lyle Lovett, Meatjack, Spinal Tap, Things to Come more)
• Leland Sklar - Bass (Phil Collins, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Wolfgang, Vince Gill, Barefoot Servants, Diana Ross, Hall & Oats, Clint Black, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Group Therapy, Suzy Bogguss more)
• Craig Doerge - Keys, Moog (James Taylor, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Sion & Garfunkel, Henske, Keepin' 'Em Off the Streets, Rosebud, more)
• Danny Kortchmar - Guitars, Field Drums (Don Henley, James Taylor, Carol King, The City, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Harry Nilsson, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Attitudes, Jo Mama, King Bees, Slo Leak, Flying Machines, Yesca, more)
• Steve Forman - Percussion (Friendship, Eclectic Mouse, Topsy Turbys, Ray Manzarek, REO Speedwagon, Kim Carnes, Loggins & Messina, Sergio Mendes, Al Jarreau, more)
• Jim Horn - Sax, Flute, Piccolo (Duane Eddy, George's Band, His Dynamite Horn Section, Johnny Rivers, LA Boogie Band, Kip Tyler & the Flips, Lalo Schifrin, The Rebels, Shelter People more)
• Chuck Findley - Trumpet (Alf Clausen Jazz Orch, Buddy Rich Big Band, Don menza, Findley Bros, High Voltage, Johnny Rivers, LA Boogie Band, Klaus Weiss, L'il Jack Horn Sect. James Last, Peter Herbolzheimer, Ernie Watts more)
• Judy Henske - Lyrics
• James Taylor - Vox (Yo Yo Ma, Flying Machine, Mitchell/Taylor Boy Girl Choir, Simon-Taylor Family other acts)
• Joe Lala - Congas Timbales, Percussion (Blues Image, Manassas, Pacific Gas & Electric, Steve Rucker, Byrds, Stills-Young Band more)
• David Sanborn - Sax, Lyricon (Bob Mintzer, Gil Evans, Chaos Choir, Domenic Troiano, NY All Stars, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Players Association, SNL band, World's Most Dangerous Band, More)
• David Crosby - Vox (CPR, CNSY, Les Baxter's balladeers, Beefeaters Byrds, Jet Set, Red Hots other acts)
• Roy Kohara - Art Direction
• Dave Willardson - Illustration
• Jim Shea - Photos
• Matt Hyde- Prcording , Mixing Engineer
• Rick Moody - Asst. Engineer
• Skip Saylor - Asst. Engineer
• Michael Boshears - Asst. Engineer
• Wally Traugott - Mastering
• Ian Underwood - Oberheim Knowledge

Unknown-ness: never heard of this band, but the front and back artwork support their band name (section of the record) and album name, since the section of the record cut is being forked over. Based on the mellow longhair band picture on the back, i imagine this will be some southern bluesy rock or powerpop, perhaps a bit snarky with their all-in concept album from name to imagery. 

Album Review: So this is a mostly acid jazz fusion band with prog rock. Mostly instrumentals with some high profile vocalists in James Taylor and David Crosby on one song each (the last track on each side of the album). They were basically the house band for anyone recording with Asylum Records, nicknamed the Mellow Mafia- based solely on their musical style: not their energetic stage presence and chaotic lifestyles. Together and or independently, these four helped shaped the all star careers of Carly Simon, Carole King, David Crosby, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Don Henley, Linda Ronstadt and Phil Collins. They propelled the main acts live shows into superstar status, and helped write many of their biggest hits. They were a respected force as a group, and it would not have been possible for Jackson Browne to record his all-new, all-live album Running on Empty without them on tour for the three weeks it took to compile, during the same year this album came out.

Stand Out Track: Street Pizza

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Rare Air - Hard to Beat

Name: Rare Air
Album: Hard to Beat
Year: 1987
Style: Celtic Bagpipe Instrumentals, Smooth Jazz
Similar Bands: Cheiftans, Enya, Celtic Thunder, 
"One-Word" Review: Windswept Irish Countryside
Based Out Of: Toronto, Canada
Label: Green Linnet Records

Cover, Liner Notes, Record

Back, Liner Notes, Record

Hard to Beat (1987)

1. Tribal Rites 2:24
2. Taxi Suite 6:10
3. Inside Out 7:08
4. Small as Life 5:36 /
5. Marvin's March (For Marvin Gaye) 2:42
6. The Waiting Room 5:38
7. Dee Dee Diddley Bop 4:23
8. Onward Blindly Onward 4:03
9. Beam Me up 4:05

Album Rating (1-10): 4.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Dave Hillier - Recording, Mixing, Producer, Drum Program
• Ellison Robertson - Cover Painting
• Michael Foster - Cover Photos
• Karl Martens - Cover Design & Layout
• George Balderose - Artistic Manager
• Pat O'Gorman - Highland Bagpipes, 'D' Flute, Biniou-koz, 'Eb' Flute, Bagpipes (City of Toronto Pipe Band, Na Cabarfeidh, Chalk Circle, Mychael Danna, Casadh An Tsugain, Howard Baer, )
• Grier Coppins - Synth, Highland Bagpipes, Bombarde, Whistle, Bagpipes (City of Toronto Pipe Band, Na Cabarfeidh, Bernie Martin, Muchael Danna, Jaron Freeman-Fox, Al Tuck)
• Dick Murai - Guitar, Bass, Drum Program, Bells, Vega Tenor Lute (Na Cabarfeidh)
• Trevor Ferrier - Roto Toms, Brass Drum, Percussion, Clay Drums, Bells, Shakere, Snare Drums, Tabla, Long Drums (City of Toronto Pipe Band, Na Cabarfeidh, Jane Siberry, Pat Kilbride, Kalimba Kalimba, David Essig, Njacko Backo)
• 'Truck Croteau - Bouzouki
• Tom Coyne - Mastering

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but the packaging is odd, as you flip the record over, not from right to left to correctly view the back. From the cover art work, and the ransom letter font on the side A Front, and the multicultural + bagpipe cover on the back, i want to believe this is some interesting indie punk, but i believe it will be more college radio, jangley rock, based on the year. 

Album Review: This is straight up instrumental, bagpipe heavy jazzy soundscapes. There is a little Asian influence and some middle eastern theme in the music too, so it does not always just carry a Celtic feel. On this record Marvin's March & Dee Dee... are both homages to African American culture. Most of the songs feel like jigs and ceremonial songs. The instrumentation is mostly performed on old world devices. They continued to divert to alternate directions, and after this album and the departure of two members, they headed into the direction of Jazz Fusion.

Stand Out Track: Onward Blindly Onward

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Puzzle - The Second Album

Name: Puzzle
Album: The Second Album
Year: 1974
Style: Motown, R&B, Prog-Jazz fusion, Funk, Blood Sweat & Tears, 
Similar Bands: Stevie Wonder, Chicago
"One-Word" Review: Multi-Genre Doo-Wop Proggers
Based Out Of: Chicago
Label: Motown

Cover, Record

Back, Record

The Second Album (1974)

1. You Took Me Wrong 4:10
2. Mary Mary 3:21
3. State of Mind 4:12
4. Everybody Wants to Be Somebody 3:21
5. Haiku 5:28 /
6. My Love 3:51
7. Now That You Love Me 4:13
8. Concept of Her 8:25
1. Prelude
2. A Moment's Rest
3. Visions
9. NYC 3:40

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Bob Cullen - Producer
• Bobby Scott - String Arrangement
• Hank Cicalo - Engineer
• Linda Tyler - Recordist
• Bernie Grundman - Mastering
• Norman Seeff - Photography & Design
• Pelev Palombi - Illustration
• John LiVigni - Drums, Vox, Percussion (John Valenti, John Edward Beland)
• Anthony Siciliano - Bass 
• Joseph Spinazola - Piano Organ (John Valenti)
• Bobby Villalobos - Lead Guitar 
• Ralf Richert - Guitar, Trumpet (Don Randi, Vinny Golia, Windfall, James Vincent, LA Jazz Ensemble, Freddy Henry, Jack Miller, Cook Country, King Errisson, Crusaders. Hiromi Iwasaki, Calypso Rose, Ollie Mitchell, Cold Fire, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Roby Duke, BUrning Sensations, Kazu Matsui, Pearl, Bonedaddys, Yanni, Nicky Holland, John Miles, Neil Diamond, Nathan Cavaleri, Dianne Reeves, Paula Abdul, Porno For Pyros, Windows,Thom Rotella, Christopher Franke, James Iha, Larry klimas, Marek Niedzwiecki, Devo, George Benson, Karizma, Caldera, Les DeMerle)
• Bob Williams - Trumpet, Wind Chimes
• Larry Klimas - Sax, Flute (Dream Patrol, Karizma, Potato Salad, Toolbox, Tom Hensley, James Vincent, King Errisson, Hiromi Iwasaki, Calypso Rose, John Valenti, Daniel Goldberg, Pino Marrone, Kazu Matsui Project, War, Renaud, Claire Severac, Luis Conte, Miki Asakura, LA Keyboard Project, Dickies, Visiting Kids, Liquid Jesus, Recollections, Karen Knowles, Charles Dumont, Sam Sklair, Lesley Olsher, Neil Diamond, Steve Lukather,. Manhattan Transfer, Rick Braun, Luis Conte, Suicide Machines, David Garfield, Lee Oskar, Robert Williams, Divididos, Bob Conti, Arthur Barrow, Devo, Melora, George Cables, Chicago, Robert Lamm, Azure McCall, Elton John, Thelma Houston, The Mar Visiting Philharmonic, PG & Frank, Robby Krieger, Mike Porcaro, Dan Fornero, Gerry Beckley, Alex Ligertwood, America)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Puzzle, but from the cover and distorted, stretched band image on the back, my best guess is this is totally a prog band. Even if it is on Motown...well, maybe there is some doo-wop included in the prog, which sounds very intriguing.

Album Review: This album splits the difference, where some songs are blue-eyed soul & R&B motown sound, and others are jazzy prog or straight up jazz. But there is not much cross over, each track is a stand alone style. "Everybody Wants to Be Somebody" has a trumpet section that sounds like "Lean On Me." They are an all-white jazzy soul band that didn't quite fit the typical Motown sound, but were released on the Motown label rather than one of the related labels like Rare Earth (which was the original intention). They were a popular live band between Chicago & Detroit, so geographically, Motown made sense. Bandleader LiVigni changed his name to Valenti after Puzzle to pursue a solo career.

Stand Out Track: You Took Me Wrong

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Steve Khan - Arrows

Name: Steve Khan
Album: Arrows
Year: 1979
Style: Jazz Fusion
Similar Bands: Brand X, Brecker Brothers Band
"One-Word" Review: Elevator Waiting Room 'Zac
Based Out Of: LA, CA
Label: Columbia, CBS,

Cover, Record

Back, Record

Arrows (1979)

1. City Suite 11:42
1. City Monster Pt 1 5:32
2. Dream City Pt 2 6:10
2. Candles 6:52 /
3. Daily Village 6:37
4. Some Arrows 5:45
5. Calling 6:23

Album Rating (1-10): 5.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Steve Khan - Composer, Electric Guitar, Producer, Mixing (Chantays, Friends of Distinction, Larry Coryell, Brecker Brothers, Ashford & Simpson, Rupert Holmes, Billy Joel, Steely Dan, Eyewtiness, Joe Zawinul's Weather Update, Caribbean Jazz Project, Atmospheres, Blood Sweat and Tears, Elements, Farberius, Flying Monkey Orchestra, Man Doki Soulmates, People, Steps Ahead, Mendoza/Mardin Project, NY All Stars, Players Association More)
• Michael Brecker - Sax (Black Light Orch, Bob Mintzer, Buddy Love, Don Grolnick, Dreams, Flying Monkey Orch, Hal Galper, Harris Simons, Harvie S & Eye Contact, Herbie Hancock, Man Doki Soulmates, Mke Mainieri, Mike Nock, People, Rainbow, Sax Summit, Stardrive, Steps Ahead, Brecker Brothers, NY All Stars, Players Assoc., SNL Band, White Elephant, Wolfgang Schalk Bandett, Ringo Starr, Roger Voudouris, Mongo Santamaria much more)
• Steve Gadd - Drums (Bill Watrous, Blicher Hemmer Gadd, Chuck Mangione, Clinque, David Matthews, Lalo Schifrin, Manhattan Jazz Quintet, Mike Mainieri, Rainbow, Return to Forever, Stardrive, Steps, Stuff, Superfriends, Boys from Rochester, Chick Corea, Clams, Family of Mann, Gadd Gang, Gaddabouts, NY All Stars, NY-LA Dream band, White Elephant much more)
• Don Grolnick - Organ, Keys (Dreams, Steps, Steps Ahead, Bob Mintzer, James Taylor, Brecker Bros., 10 Wheel Drive, Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt, Harry Chapin, Barry Manilow, BJ Thomas, Cleo Laine, Melissa Manchester, more)
• David Sanborn - Alto Sax (Bob Mintzer, Gil Evans, Chaos Choir, Domenic Troiano, NY All Stars, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Players Association, SNL Band, Worlds's Most Dangerous Band, Paul Schaffer, Stevie Wonder, BB King, Todd Rundgrend more)
• Elliot Scheiner - Producer, Engineer, Mixing 
• Christine Martin - Production Coordinator
• Doug Epstein - Engineer
• Errol "Crusher" Bennett - Percussion (Michel Legrand & Co. Salsoul Orch, Melba Moore, Betty Davis, Bill Withers, Peaches & Herb more)
• Randy Brecker - Trumpet (Andy LaVerne, Art Blakey, Black Light Orch, Blood Sweat & Tears, Bob Mintzer, Child is Father to the Men, Chroma, CTI All Stars, Dalia Faitelson, Das Pferd, Dizzy Gillespie, Don Groinick, Duke Pearson, Farberius, GRP All Stars, Hal Galper, Harlem River Drive, Jaco Pastorius, Kerry Strayer, Loren Schoenberg, Man Doki Soulmates, Marc Copland, Mike Mainieri, Milky Way, Mingus Big Band, Mingus Dynasty, NY All Stars, Pond Life, Renolds Jazz Orch, Roif Kuhn, Ron McClure, Brecker BrosDavid Liebman, Domenic Troiano, Eleventh House, Fisher Fidelity Standard Rock Band, George Gruntz, Horace Silver,  Jack Wilkins, Jamie Baum, Jazz Composers Orch, White Elephant, Woody Witt so much more)
• Will Lee - Bass (Band Of Other Brothers, BFD, Bob Mintzer, Child is Father to the Men, Eric Doney, Flying Monkey Orch, Gary Burton. Hiram Billock, John Blackwell, Metro, Paul Shaffer, The 24th St Band, Gary Schreiner, Worlds Most Dangerous Band more)
• Rick Marotta - Drums (Brethren, Noght, Ronin, Yesca, James Taylor, Al Kooper, Warren Zevon, Yoko Ono, Don McLean, Hall & Oates  more)
• Jeff Mironov - Guitar (Flying Monkey Orch, Writers, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Rush, Gloria Gaynor, Richie Havens, Jimi Hendrix, Frankie Valli, Peter Nero, Gary Glitter, Ben E King more)
• Rob Mounsey - Synth (Flying Monkey Orch, Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band, Spyro Gyra, Carly Simon, Michael Franks, Donny Osmond, Aaron Neville, Roberta Flack  more)
• Jean-Michel Folon - Art

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Steve Khan. I like the artwork, reminds me of native american art with a lot of energy thanks to the arrows. My guess is this is overthought, conceptual new wave, but an act that had a good sound at the same time.

Album Review: So this is jazz fusion, akin to Brand X or many dentist office soundtracks or elevators, even. Maybe some 80's tv shows that never made it out of pilot status. Khan is recognized for his groundbreaking expertise in Latin Jazz Guitar work and received two Grammy nominations. He called this album the last attempt to keep the sound of fellow contributors, the Breker Brothers' band going.

Stand Out Track: Some Arrows

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Image (thee) - Inside the Triangle

Name: Thee Image
Album: Inside the Triangle
Year: 1975
Style: Prog, Jazz, Disco, Psych
Similar Bands: Traffic, Little Feat, Dr. John, Bee-Gees
"One-Word" Review: Hard Jazz Fusion Disco
Based Out Of: Miami FL
Label: Manticore, Motown

Cover & Record

Back, Record

Inside the Triangle (1975)

1. Fly Away 6:36
2. Far Away Places 2:55 (single b-side)
3. High Time Feeling 3:34
4. IOU's 2:32
5. All Night Long 4:15 / 
6. Good To You 6:02
7. Alone With You 5:05 (single)
8. Rapture of the Deep 1:45
9. Nobody Wins till the Game is Over 4:15 (cover Sir Mack Rice)

Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Mike Pinera - Producer, Guitar, Lead & Backing Vox (Blues Image, Iron Butterfly, Cactus, Alice Cooper, Ramatam, Classic Rock All Stars, Fanz, Thee Butterfly, Judy Mayhan, )
• Duane Hitchings - Keys, Moog, Synth, Backing Vox (Buddy Miles Express, Cactus, Charmer, Steel, Kim Carnes, Carmine Appice,  The Runaways, Rod Stewart, Bad Finger, Alice Cooper )
• Donny Vosburgh - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vox (Blues Image, Buddy Miles, Fortress, Mother's Finest, Darrell Mansfield Band)
• Karl Richardson - Recording & Mixing
• Ed Mashal - Asst. Engineer
• John Blanche - Mastering Engineer
• Srat Stills - Cover Art
• Mario A Algaze - Photography
• Thee Big "M" - Album Concept & Art Direction
• Mario Medious - Executive Producer

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Although the title and cover are is heading to somewhere ominous...the Bermuda triangle...the three guys in the band couldn't look more like three stoner surfer dudes incapable of evil. I assume the back image is of them at some palace in Bermuda, with the three guys looking a little glammy with cape, embroidered shirt, and bedazzled bell-bottoms. So I'm guessing this band is somewhere between glam, and prog, with the cover art being conceptual enough to make me think of prog.

Album Review: The Band name was a nostalgic throw-back tribute for Pinera & Vosburgh, who used to play together in Blue Image at a "legendary" club in Miami called Thee Image. Some of the album (Single "Alone With You") sounds like if a typical lounge singer like Tom Jones would decide to make a funky-disco album..okay, that might actually work or sound cool, but this does not sit in such a positive light. But some sounds like psych rock, or prog fusion. "IOUs" sounds kind like a video game

Stand Out Track: IOU's

Links:
prog aspect
audiophile man
discogs
rockasteria
rate your music
classic rock louder sound
spotify double album
allmusic

Group 87 - s/t

Name: Group 87
Album: s/t
Year: 1980
Style: Classical Jazz, Prog Fusion, New Age
Similar Bands: Brand X, Spaces, Weather Report, Brian Eno
"One-Word" Review: Jazzy Classical-Prog Instrumentals
Based Out Of: San Fran, Cali
Label: Columbia

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Group 87 (1980)

1. Future of the City 5:01
2. Magnificent Clockworks 4:30
3. Frontiers: 1856 3:16
4. Sublime Feline 6:25 /
5. The Bedouin 3:21
6. While the City Sleeps 2:25
7. Moving Sidewalks 4:24
8. Hall of Glass 2:34
9. One Night Away From Day 5:55

Album Rating (1-10): 5.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Ed E. Thacker - Producer, Recording, Mixing
• Brian Leshon - Second Engineer
• Phil Jost - Second Engineer
• Greg Calbi - Mastering
• Terry Powell - Masteting
• Steve Hiett - Cover Photo
• Robert Steve Bauer - Back Photos
• Nancy Donald - Design
• Terry Bozzio - Drums (Frank Zappa, Missing Persons, Bozzio Levin Stevens, Lonely Bears, UK, Vai more)
• Peter Wolf - Piano (Frank Zappa, Starship, Fatty George Crew, Gipsy Love, Music and Fin Is All, Objective Truth Orch, The Mothers, Reform Art Unit, Vienna, Wolf & Wolf more)
• Mark Isham - Brass, Electronics, Keys (Sons of Champlin, Rubiza Patrol, Taj Mahal, Van Morrison, Boz Skaggs, Secret Police more)
• Peter Maunu - Guitar, Keys Violin (Jean-Luc Ponty, Billy Cobham, Airto, Arsenio Hall Band, Bernie Krause, LA Express Claus Ogerman Orch, Simon Stokes, OC Smith, Flower, Gary Brooker, Bobby McFerrin, Heller, Morak, Ludwig Hirsch, Ed Nottle, Grace Slick, Wire Train, Commodores, Sylvester, Starship, laura Branigan, Warren Zevon, Marianne Faithfull, Al Gromer Khan)
• Patrick O'Hearn - Bass (Frank Zappa, Missing Persons more)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but from the angular lines and basic colors on the cover & negative images on the back, it looks like it may be some sort of new wave or post punk, reminding me of Wire's artwork. Even with the ocean themes: beach towel on the front and beach/water on the back, it still has a cold feel, enhanced further by the robotic factory name like Group 87.

Album Review: The album is all instrumental Jazz...but multiple forms of it: sometimes ambient, sometimes classical, sometimes video game or tv theme sounding, but much of the time futurist-prog. The music contained feels like it is breaching the gap between old-style songs while incorporating "modern day" production techniques and smooth synths. Their song titles do relate to the moods and soundscapes that the music creates. This was the first album for the trio Isham, Maunu, O'Hearn, but they forged a path into instrumental new age after this band, who actually had one more release in '84. Isham having the most illustrious and prolific career of the three, with award winning music and stemming into tv & films

Stand Out Track: Magnificent Clockworks

Links:
Mark Isham Music
amazon
Prog Archive
discogs
allmusic
rate your music
american archive

Dr. Strut - s/t

Name: Dr. Strut
Album: s/t
Year: 1979
Style: Smoooooth Jazzzzzz
Similar Bands: Brand X, Spaces, Roger Voudouris, Steely Dan
"One-Word" Review: your favorite 80's tv theme
Based Out Of: LA, CA
Label: Motown

 Cover & Record

Back & Record

Dr. Strut (1979)

1. Granite Palace 3:38
2. The Look in Your Eyes 4:36
3. Canadian Star 4:23 (Steely Dan cover)
4. More Stuff 4:57 / 
5. Blowtop 3:15
6. Soul Sermonette 4:30
7. Chicken Strut 3:22
8. Eddieisms 3:09
9. Who Cares 3:00
10. No! You Came Here For an Argument :57

Album Rating (1-10): 3.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Lee Young Sr -  Producer
• David Woodford - Sax, Flutes (Legendary Groovadelics, Swallow, Supertramp, Livingston Taylor, Michael Kamen, Aerosmith, John Cougar, Eric Carmen, Richie Havens, Sneaker, Bonnie Raitt, Sheena Easton, Robert Hazard, Jimmy Buffett, Juice Newton, Supertramp, Roy Orbison,Rod Stewart, California Raisins, Eddie Money, Natalie Cole, Ringo Starr, Alyssa Milano, Dan Hill, Johnny Mathis, Little Feat, Kenny Loggins, Michael Hutchence  )
• Kevin Bassinson - Keys (Legendary Groovadelics, Victor Feldman, Jackie DeShannon, High Energy, Peter McCann, Giants, Jermaine Jackson, Ollie Mitchell's Sunday Best, Jean-Francois Roulot, Pascal Bacoux, Miki Matsubara, Olivia Newton-John, Lynn Carey, Charlene, Barry Manilow, Jane Fonda, Mark Winkler)
• Tim Weston - Guitar (Legendary Groovadelics, Wishful Thinking, Cheech & Chong, Kerry Chater, Jackie DeShannon, Celebration, Tonio K, Peter McCann, Ollie Mitchell's Sunday Best, Bobby King, Robbie Patton, Jean-Francois Roulot, Miki Matsubara, Lynn Carey, Matthew Wilder, Victor Feldman's Generation Band, Daved Discos Dance Orch, Wishful Thinking, China Crisis, Fra Lippo Lippi)
• Peter Freiberger - Bass (Legendary Groovadelics, Wha-Koo, Batteauz, Kerry Chater, Tonio K. Peter C Johnson, Jackie DeShannon, Peter McCann, Danny Douma, Ollie Mitchell's Sunday Best, Jean-Francois Roulot, Miki Matsubara, Lynn Carey, Walter Murphy, Parachute Express, Mister Paradise, Dawn & Dupree, Hans Zimmer)
• Claude Pepper - Drums (Legendary Groovadelics, Silver Condor, Wha Koo, Tonio K, Bill Bergman, Earl Slick Band, Peter McCann, Ollie Mitchell's Sunday Best, Jean-Francois Roulot, Miki Matsubara, Walter Murphy, Josh Leo, Willie Dee, Dean Ray, Fra Lippo Lippi)
• Everett Bryson - Percussion (Home Boy and the COL, Danniebelle, Jessy Dixon, Rufus, Chaka Khan, Alpha Band, Teddy & Nanci, Bili Thedford, Ozone, Cecil Lyde, Dan Hill, Teena Marie, Cook Country, Miki Matsubara, Jim Mandell, Charlene, Chris Montan)
• Barney Perkins - Recording Engineer
• Caryl Woodford - Recording Engineer
• Roger Nichols - Mixing Engineer
• Bernie Grundman - Mastering
• John Banuelos - Asst Engineer
• Gary Goodman - Asst. Engineer
• Bill Glasser - Asst. Engineer
• Ron Wakefield - Product Coordinator
• Brenda M. Boyce - Product Manager
• Tim Bryant - Cover Concept, Album Designer
• Irma Newton - Cover Concept
• Ron Slenzak - Photographer

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band...not sure what to make of the levitating instruments that we're sneaking a peak at with the slightly open door...are we catching the instruments in a compromising position? Is the idea that the instruments are a live while no one is watching (ala Toy Story). Moreover, what does that mean the music will be? I like the stretching of the joke to the back, where the song titles are on an Rx pad, like they are the medicine Dr Strut can dole out. My guess is that this is pub rock with a heavy inclusion of sax.

Album Review: Rather than pub rock- or any kind of rock for that matter- what is contained on this album is smooth jazz. These tracks come across as some sort of resume of 80's tv show themes (Cagney & Lacey, Knots Landing, LA Law, My Two Dads) that knew their moment of popularity was but a brief fleeting couple of years. The smooth loungy aspect of the songs makes them less appealing than say Brand X, or other jazz fusion bands, and overall, its not my thing. They were the flagship band for Motown's newly formed Jazz division & put out two records. Their third record was set to begin production right before Motown's Jazz division shut down. It was still recorded & released in Japan.

Stand Out Track: No! You Came Here For An Argument

Links:
Spotify
youtube full album
Discogs
ProgGnosis
rate your music
band to band
Canadian Star thread

Sigue Sigue Sputnik - Flaunt It

Name: Sigue Sigue Sputnik
Album: Flaunt It
Year: 1986
Style: New Wave, Electro, Techno
Similar Bands: EMF, Quintron & Miss Pussycat, New York Dolls, Adam & the Ants, Thompson Twins, Yaz
One-Word Review: Dystopian-Future-Pop
Based Out Of: London, England
Label: Manhattan Records, Capitol Records, EMI

 Cover, Lyrics-Liner Notes, Record

Back, Liner Notes, Record

Flaunt It (1986) [as listed on the record]

1. Love Missile F1-11 4:48 
2. Atari Baby 4:56 (T3,S1 on album)
3. Sex Bomb Boogie 4:46 (T4,S1 on album)
4. Rockit Miss USA 6:05 (T1, S2 on album)/
5. 21st Century Boy 5:11 (T2, S1 on album)
6. Massive Retaliation 4:56
7. Teenage Thunder 5:20
8. She's My Man 5:35

Members & Other Bands:

• Martin Degville - Vox (Sputnik 2, Sigue Sigue Sputnik Electronic)
• Tony James - Space Guitar 2000 (Generation X, Sisters of Mercy, Carbon/Silicon, Fin de Siecle, London Cowboys, Sci-Fi Sex Stars, Bizet Boys, Rawhides, London SS)
• Neal X - Big, Big Guitar (Marc Almond Band, Montecristos, Adam Ant, Sex Gang Children)
• Ray Mayhew - Electro Drums (Mayhem Deranged, Sci-Fi Sex Stars)
• Chris Kavanagh - Electro Drums (BAD II, Sci-Fi Sex Stars)
• Yana Ya-Ya - Effects (Sci-Fi Sex Stars)
• Giorgio Moroder - Producer
• Brian Reeves - Engineer
• Laslo - Programming
• Hugh-Scott Symonds - Video
• Andy Kemp - Off Life Editor
• Grant @ MPL - Online Editor
• Bonnie Anderson - MM Tech VDX
• Tony Sellinger / Gibbo - Video Game
• Paul Smith - Suits
• Touche Ross - Accountants
• Brian Carr - Design, Illustrations
• Graham Ball - Illustration
• Mike Morton - Illustration
• Frank Griffin - Design
• Joe Shutter - Cover
• Syd Brak - Cover
• Peter Paul Hartnett - Illustration
• Rob Hallett - Attorney

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Unknown-ness: Never heard of them. But if you can dig through all the info and imagry on the record, you get the sense that they are going for the futuristic sound of Times Square in the year 2000 (it being 1986). I imagine something like music from a Blade Runner or Total Recall type universe. So what that might include is anyone's guess...I'm banking on futuristic-industrial music with electronic effects and advertisements sampled and layered throughout their songs.

Album Review: As expected, it is a chaotic, over-stimulation of the ears, with lots of little catchy bits layered over top of each other, and advertisement samples separating some of the tracks and layered in the songs. The vocals are of a snotty new wave variety. And at the base of all their songs are good melodies and dance-able rhythms. I imagine this is what folks though the future of rock would be in the Dystopian futures as shown by the films listed above. The lead track was featured in Ferris Bueller's Day Off/ Their look, somewhat of a futuristic, enhanced Billy Idol makes sense since Tommy James was in Generation X. And some of the ad that bookend the tracks were, in fact, actually purchased by companies...L'Oreal & i-D Magazine specifically, and the Discogs link lists the ads split out from the tracks.

Stand Out Track: 21st Century Boy

Links:
youtube
website
discogs
allmusic
Guardian Interview
IMDB
1986 article in People
Sputnik Music